Published in:
01-02-2017 | Handsurgery
Free lateral tarsal artery perforator flap with functioning extensor digitorum brevis muscle for thenar reconstruction: a case report
Authors:
Tianliang Wang, Subhash Regmi, Hongjun Liu, Junbo Pan, Ruixing Hou
Published in:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
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Issue 2/2017
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Abstract
In this case report, we describe reconstructive surgery in one patient using a free lateral tarsal artery perforator flap with a functioning extensor digitorum brevis muscle. A 47-year-old woman sustained a crush–avulsion injury to her dominant right hand while working in a factory. A large thenar skin and muscle defect (5.5 cm × 4.0 cm) occurred as a consequence of surgical debridement. The skin and muscle defect was repaired using a free lateral tarsal artery perforator flap with a functioning extensor digitorum brevis muscle in a single operation. The donor site defect was repaired using a full-thickness skin graft. The patient recovered without postoperative complications. The patient showed satisfactory functional gain without significant donor site morbidity at the 4-year follow-up visit. Thus, we have demonstrated that a functional reconstruction of a thenar skin defect complicated by muscle loss is possible by transferring a free lateral tarsal artery perforator flap with the underlying extensor digitorum brevis muscle.